Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

AB400 connected to CSR+ via phone jack doesn't fire with my Cyber Commander.
The RED dump light comes on and does not go off.
CST doesn' work either.

With everything same, but change the CSR+ with CSRB+, everything works fine.
CST works too.

I thought my first unit was defective, but the replacement unit is not working either.
what am I doing wrong? Please HELP!!!

Most likely the channel assigned to that reciever is set to STANDBY in the Cyber Commander, or the power is set to a very low power setting.

First, do you have a vertical bar in that channel collumn? Second, is there any blue in that channel collumn? If there is a vertical bar, there is a dash at the bottom of that channel collumn, under the green dash. Is this dash white (matches the white text in the corners), or gray (maybe hard to see, but matches the graph lines)?

[answers to your question in order]

1. CC is set already at ON for this channel.
2. Yes, there is a vertical bar. it's all blue.
3. the dash under the bottom green dash is white

Again, there is nothing wrong with the CC setting. Keeping everything the same,
when i use CSRB+ instead of CSR+, it works fine. with CSR+, i can't do anything
because the dump light won't go away.

With the CSR+ connected, press up on the right joystick of the CC. If there is no change, select the ALL channel, then press the right joystick in to test flash. If this does not work, read on.

Is the power slider on the light set to "full"? If not, set it to such.

Have you swapped the telephone cord?

Generally, this symptom is due to a fault of some sorts in the power supply (i.e. cords, outlet, etc.). If the light is plugged into a power strip and/or extension cord, try plugging it directly to the wall. You may also want to try a different AC cord for the light. If it still does this, try a different outlet on a different circuit.

Also, is your modelling lamp set to on via the CC? (red dot in the blue bar). Are you using a wall outlet, or a VML (or something else)?

IMHO, this actually sounds like the opamp latch-up problem that the Radiopopper users found way back (discussed ad nauseum in the FM forums when we first started using RP JrX triggers)...only affects the RJ11 connector. Basically manufacturing tolerances on the op amps (it's not a digital circuit) change their voltage limits enough that some (receiver end) aren't compatible (with the strobe end).
With my RP JrX, I had that issue w/ one B1600...fire it once and dump light stays on even if I swapped multiple JrX receivers to it, but only on vagabond power, not when plugged into A/C power.

If this is what's affecting you, I'd suggest just sticking w/ the CSRB+ which is more flexible anyways (you can trigger a flash with it or other strobes instead of only AB/WL). You can try swapping the CSR+ for another one or your AB400 for another one. Most don't have this issue. Again, it's not the typical case that this happens...some are just fussier than others...

To my knowlege, we have never experienced an opamp latchup between our remotes and our lights. I have seen this a few times with some of our remotes and some other brand lights (typically on the low end of the price scale/house brands).

From my extensive trouble shooting experience, this sounds more like a bad ground in something or the combo has not fully "shaken hands" and established proper communications, particularly since it has spanned two AC powered remotes.

1. pressing the right joystick on CH1 and MAIN screen does nothing
2. power slide of AB400 on full power
3. swapped phone cords --> tried 3 different cords
4. power source --> 3 different wall outlets & VM. nothing works
5. modeling lamp is set to OFF

i have two AB400, one ABR800, CC, CST, two CSRB+, and this CSR+ that i can't get to
work. i have tried all the different combinations that i can think of, and as long as i don't
throw in the CSR+ to the mix, everything works perfectly. i recently bought this CSR+
because i already had two CSRB+'s and wanted a CSR+ to use free of battery worries.
i never thought i'd get a problem like this.

looks like i'm going to have to send this one back too, and exchange it for CSRB+.

In the Cyber Commander, change the model lamp to track. Once the model lamp comes on, set back to off.

Also, it should be said, double or triple check the channel and frequency dials. Change them off and then back to ensure they are properly aligned. Also note the deeper cut in the dial is the pointer end (i.e. the deeper cut should point to Ch1).

You are welcome to swap the recievers for any reason within the 60 day period for any reasons, but if you would rather get the AC powered remote going, give us a call, and I will be happy to help you get it going (you can ask for David). Of course it would be helpful if you had the equipment in front of you when you call.

the whole point of my problem is that the DUMP light won't go off. would changing the
modeling lamp setting solve this problem? (i haven't changed it to track yet, but i've
changed it ON/OFF during a phone convesation with a tech rep)

i have a full time job, so it's difficult for me to call in with my equipments. for now, i'll
just have to get your recommendations during the daytime, and try them at home later.

Switching the model lamp on via the CC may make a difference. Its rare that it causes a problem, but possible.

Also, I know you are switching between recievers. Are you going through the OPEN MEMORY open from studio sequence with each new reciever? While it is not absolutely necessary to do so, this can be a very helpful trouble shooting step. If you open from studio, the white or gray dash will appear under that channel, if done properly. If no dash appears, or appears under a channel it is not supposed to then the channel or frequency dial is misaligned. If that is the case, then the light and reciever are not recieving the signals to do something else, and are in a "standby"-esque state.

Probably the best thing to do is to do a start-from-scratch set up (after saving what you have now), using only that light and reciever.